This page is for the original 2000 version. For the 2013 re-release, see Final Fantasy VIII (2013).
Key points
- Higher resolution 480p FMVs than the PlayStation version.[1]
- Unfavorable to the PlayStation version in areas: Out of combat movement is limited 8 directions as opposed to complete circular movement, and has fixable inferior MIDI music.[2]
- While the PlayStation version ran at 60 FPS, excluding menu screens the PC frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, 15 FPS during combat and FMVs.[3]
General information
- Qhimm Final Fantasy Mod Forums
Availability
Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
Retail |
|
DRM: Simple disk check, no physical copy protection. |
|
|
- A demo is available here
Essential improvements
Patches
- The 1.2 patch set fixes various bugs in the game:
- FF8SqeaNVPatch.zip: 1.2 patch for Nvidia Geforce users.
- FF8SqeaPatch.zip: 1.2 patch for other users.
- FF8_Yamaha_Fix.zip: Extra patch to fix a bug when using DirectX 7 only with the Yamaha software synthesizer.
- Replaces the default MIDI music with the original PlayStation version music or optionally other music as well.[4]
Aali's custom driver
- See the corresponding section in Final Fantasy VII.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- With modern versions of Windows it may be in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Square Soft, Inc\FINAL FANTASY VIII\1.00
which takes precedence if both registry keys exist.
Save game data location
Video settings
- Supported resolutions: 320x240x16 pillarboxed in 640x460x16, and 640x460x16.
Template:Video settings
Input settings
Controller configuration.
Template:Input settings
Audio settings
Template:Audio settings
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
|
|
|
|
Issues fixed
Running from an ISO or another drive
- By default the game uses the first physical CD-ROM drive location for CD checks. If you wish to use another drive (common when using an ISO), edit the registry:
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Square Soft, Inc\FINAL FANTASY VIII\1.00\DataDrive
- If that doesn't exist go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Square Soft, Inc\FINAL FANTASY VIII\1.00\DataDrive
- Change its value to the drive letter that the .ISO occupies(usually E or F), and relaunch the game.
8-bit paletted textures fix
- When attempting to run FF8 PC on a modern system, the game's launcher will fail on video cards lacking 8-bit texture support. This causes the game to use textures that are of a lower resolution. To fix this, as well as allow the game to run at higher resolutions, download the custom launcher that may be found here.
Graphical issues
- If you have graphical issues or artifacts, use Aali's custom driver.
Other information
API
Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
95, 98 | |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 200 MHz[5]
Intel Pentium II 266 Mhz[6]
| Intel Pentium II 266 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
32 MB |
64 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
300 MB |
600 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
4 MB[6]/8 MB[5] of VRAM DirectX 6.1 compatible
| 16 MB[5] of VRAM |
Sound (audio device) |
DirectSound-compatible | |
Other |
DirectMusic-compatible Software Synthesizer
8X CD-ROM | |
References